Doha – Dezeenhttps://www.dezeen.com
architecture and design magazineSat, 10 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1UNStudio introduces public trains to Qatar with metro projecthttps://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/18/unstudio-qatar-public-railway-metro-system-alternative-to-private-transport/
https://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/18/unstudio-qatar-public-railway-metro-system-alternative-to-private-transport/#commentsThu, 18 Sep 2014 12:45:04 +0000http://admin.dezeen.com/?p=547029News: Dutch firm UNStudio has developed plans for Qatar's first public railway network in an attempt to encourage more of the country's residents to choose public rather than private transport (+ slideshow). UNStudio has designed over 30 stations for the Qatar Integrated Railway Project (QIRP), an all-new metro network of four lines that will connect

]]>News: Dutch firm UNStudio has developed plans for Qatar's first public railway network in an attempt to encourage more of the country's residents to choose public rather than private transport (+ slideshow).

UNStudio has designed over 30 stations for the Qatar Integrated Railway Project (QIRP), an all-new metro network of four lines that will connect destinations in the Greater Doha Area and the coastal city of Al Khor.

The goal is "to create a service which encourages the use of public transportation as a valid and clean alternative to private transportation for the population of Doha".

The first phase of the project involves the construction of approximately 35 stations all designed by UNStudio, which has been appointed principal architect on the project. For phase two, a further 60 stations could be added.

This includes recurring architectural elements across the network, themes for different lines and a selection of curated content for individual stations.

An "architectural branding manual" produced as part of the project will offer guidance to design-and-build contractors implementing the proposals.

"Through the production of a design manual and with the use of adaptive parametric design, it has been possible for us to create a design with many variants, yet one which maintains a coherent identity throughout all of the stations," said studio founder Ben van Berkel.

"In this way, we can combine local contextual differences within an overall identity and parametrically adapt physical factors such as wayfinding, daylight penetration, passenger flows, constructive elements etc. in a complex but extremely disciplined system."

UNStudio also plans to introduce elements from the traditional regional architecture. Vaulted ceilings will be a consistent design element, thought of as a "referential bridge between Qatar's historic architecture and culture and its future as a beacon of innovation and prosperity".

Strips of lighting integrated into the vaulted surfaces will function as natural wayfinding elements.

The team names one of their inspirations for the project as the Caravanserai – a kind of inn found on ancient trade routes, which often featured enclosed courts that served as both gathering and resting places.

"The celebration of arriving and departing has always been found in the design of stations," said Van Berkel.

"For the QIRP we devised an adaptive parametric system which creates open, light and welcoming interiors for each of the individual stations. Traditional Qatari architectural features are reinterpreted to incorporate new, transformative qualities which capture daylight and direct this into the interiors, creating uplifting and luminous atmospheres," he added.

The project will also include creating safe crossings over busy road intersections.

]]>https://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/18/unstudio-qatar-public-railway-metro-system-alternative-to-private-transport/feed/3Qatar National Convention Centre by Arata Isozakihttps://www.dezeen.com/2013/08/22/qatar-national-convention-centre-by-arata-isozaki/
https://www.dezeen.com/2013/08/22/qatar-national-convention-centre-by-arata-isozaki/#commentsThu, 22 Aug 2013 20:00:03 +0000http://admin.dezeen.com/?p=348660Gigantic tree-like columns support the overhanging roof of the Qatar National Convention Centre by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, captured in these new shots by Portuguese photographer Nelson Garrido. The building was designed by Arata Isozaki to reference the Sidrat al-Muntaha, a holy Islamic tree that is believed to symbolise the end of the seventh heaven.

]]>Gigantic tree-like columns support the overhanging roof of the Qatar National Convention Centre by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, captured in these new shots by Portuguese photographer Nelson Garrido.

The building was designed by Arata Isozaki to reference the Sidrat al-Muntaha, a holy Islamic tree that is believed to symbolise the end of the seventh heaven.

A pair of sprawling steel columns create the illusion of two trees in front of the large rectangular glass facade, supporting a roof canopy that extends out to offer shelter to a public plaza in front of the building.

"The tree is a beacon of learning and comfort in the desert and a haven for poets and scholars who gathered beneath its branches to share knowledge," said the architects.

Located on the 1000-hectare campus of the Qatar Foundation in Doha, the Qatar National Convention Centre opened to the public in December 2011. It is the largest exhibition centre in the Middle East and can accommodate up to 7000 people in its three main halls.

Visitors enter the building through a large reception hall that spans both the full width and height of the building. Steel-clad staircases beyond lead to floors both above and below ground, and are flanked by a wall of colourful tessellated shapes.

Other spaces include a 4000-seat conference hall, a 2300-seat theatre, nine exhibition halls and a series of 52 meetings rooms that can be used for various events and activities.

QNCC was designed by the renowned Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. Officially opened on 4 December 2011, the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) is one of the most sophisticated convention and exhibition centres built to date, boasting iconic design bearing the 'Sidra Tree'.

The spectacular façade resembles two intertwined trees reaching up to support the exterior canopy. The tree is a beacon of learning and comfort in the desert and a haven for poets and scholars who gathered beneath its branches to share knowledge.

QNCC was conceived with a focus on sustainability. The Centre was successfully built according to U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) gold certification standards. The building is designed to operate efficiently with innovations such as water conservation and energy-efficient fixtures.

A member of the Qatar Foundation, QNCC features a conference hall of 4,000-seat theatre style, a 2,300-seat theatre, three auditoria and a total of 52 flexible meetings rooms to accommodate a wide range of events. It also houses 40,000 square metres of exhibition space over nine halls, and is adaptable to seat 10,000 for a conference or banquet. The Centre's stunning architecture and cutting edge facilities are ideal for hosting local, regional and international conventions and exhibitions, gala events, theatrical productions and banquet functions.

]]>https://www.dezeen.com/2013/08/22/qatar-national-convention-centre-by-arata-isozaki/feed/17OMA chosen to masterplan Airport City in Qatarhttps://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/08/rem-koolhaas-oma-chosen-to-masterplan-airport-city-in-qatar/
https://www.dezeen.com/2013/03/08/rem-koolhaas-oma-chosen-to-masterplan-airport-city-in-qatar/#respondFri, 08 Mar 2013 13:05:12 +0000http://admin.dezeen.com/?p=297270News: Rem Koolhaas' studio OMA has been selected to masterplan a business and residential development linking the city of Doha in Qatar with the new Hamad International Airport. Called Airport City, OMA's 10-square-kilometre masterplan comprises four districts along a "green spine" running parallel with the airport's runways. The spine of public spaces, gardens and plazas

After winning an international competition, OMA has been announced as masterplanners for Airport City, a new 10 sq km development where 200,000 people will live and work, linking the new Hamad International Airport with the city of Doha, Qatar. OMA's masterplan is a series of four circular districts along a spine parallel to the HIA runways, intended to create a strong visual identity and districts with unique identities. Phase One of the 30-year masterplan, which links airside and landside developments for business, logistics, retail, hotels, and residences, will be mostly complete in time for the 2022 World Cup, hosted by Qatar.

Rem Koolhaas commented: "We are delighted and honored to participate in the exciting growth of Doha, in a project that is perhaps the first serious effort anywhere in the world to interface between an international airport and the city it serves."

Partner-in-charge Iyad Alsaka commented: "Doha's Airport City is an important addition to the realisation of OMA's work in urbanism and will incorporate unprecedented transport planning opportunities; we look forward to collaborating with the HIA to meet the objectives of this ambitious project."

Each district of Airport City will be unique within the masterplan's overall identity. The Business District will centre on a major new transport hub linking with greater Doha; the Aviation Campus will accommodate office headquarters and educational facilities for aviation authorities; the Logistics District will provide cargo and warehousing facilities; and the Residential District, adjacent to the new Doha Bay Marina, will accommodate future employees. A Green Spine connects the districts, echoing their individual identities as it runs north-south. The landscaping scheme, developed by Michel Desvigne, is a new public space for Doha that will be used by residents and tourists. A network of public spaces, gardens and plazas will stretch across the site, surrounded by a "Desert Park".

The competition team was led by OMA partners Iyad Alsaka, Reinier de Graaf, Rem Koolhaas and OMA Associate Katrin Betschinger in collaboration with engineering consultants, WSP. The Airport City masterplan and development of its individual elements is being led by Partner-in-charge Iyad Alsaka, Project Director Slavis Poczebutas and Associate Katrin Betschinger. Before the 2022 World Cup, Airport City infrastructure and utilities will be completed along with the Western Taxiway and Aircraft Parking System adjacent to the HIA 2nd runway, the HIA Visa Building, and the visual concept planning of the future transport hub.

920 lights have been installed by the Ashghal public authority along Al Waab Street in Doha (top and above), which Santa & Cole claim are counterfeits of their Latina street lamps designed by Galí (below). They also claim the designs incude low-quality light sources that dazzle drivers and thin steel that represents a structural safety hazard.

Lawsuit against Qatar due to counterfeiting 1,000 streetlamps and threatening the intellectual property of their designer

The public company Ashghal from Qatar forged the "Latina" streetlamp, designed by the architect Beth Galí, and manufactured and marketed by the company Santa & Cole. Nearly 1,000 forged units were installed on Al Waab Street, the main street in Doha.

Beth Galí has lodged a lawsuit in the Courts of Barcelona to report the case, in which she expressed her "full confidence in justice to resolve a large-scale forgery case that is threatening the creativity of professionals and European companies".

BCD and Santa & Cole, as well as several personalities working in architecture and design in Barcelona, went to the courts to show their support and to make the facts public.

Javier Nieto, Chairman of Santa & Cole: "It is unbelievable that a country such as Qatar could commit such a serious case of forgery"
Pau Herrera, Chairman of BCD: "Protecting design as a factor of innovation is essential to create economic and social value in Europe"

One of the biggest cases of public counterfeiting in the history of Design

The architect Beth Galí, the Chairman of Santa & Cole, Javier Nieto Santa, and the Chairman of BCD (Barcelona Design Centre), Pau Herrera, invited the media to Courts of Law in Barcelona to publicly announce the large-scale forgery committed by Qatar.

The meeting, carried out at the doors of the Courts of Law in Barcelona, was held due to the lawsuit for pain and suffering lodged on June 29 by Beth Galí against Qatar, which forged the "Latina" streetlamp via the public company Ashghal in 2006, designed by her and manufactured and marketed by the company Santa & Cole.

This case of large-scale forgery is especially relevant as the offender is a sovereign state, in addition to the case being particularly large and the development of events.
The crime committed by Qatar can be seen along the 10 kilometres of Al Waab Street, the main street in the capital of Qatar, Doha, where the public company Ashghal installed approximately 900 forgeries of the "Latina" streetlamp.

Although the case is being made public now, the facts go back to April 2005, when Ashghal requested Santa & Cole to complete an entire lighting project for Al Waab Street for the 14th Asian Games (Doha, 2006). After the Qatari authorities chose the "Latina" streetlamp, which was adapted beforehand to meet the needs of the project, and having submitted five different projects with models and technical specifications, Ashghal requested a local company to make nearly 1,000 copies of the "Latina" streetlamp in 2006.

After six years of trying to reach an amicable agreement, and after the Qatari government refused the arbitration of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the case is now in the hands of the Courts of Barcelona and one of the largest acts of piracy in the history of design committed by a sovereign state is now being made public.

In this context, the claimant, Beth Galí, expressed her "full confidence in the Spanish legal system to resolve a blatant case of large-scale forgery" at the courts.
Supporting the business sector and design BCD (Barcelona Design Centre) and Santa & Cole, as well as other personalities working in the design and architecture sector in Barcelona, were with Beth Galí during the submission of the first lawsuit to show their support and to make the facts public.

Javier Nieto Santa, the Chairman of Santa & Cole, stated to the media that the "Latina" streetlamp case perplexed him, ensuring that "it is unbelievable that Qatar, a sovereign nation and member of the WIPO and the WTO, bound by the Paris Convention and the TRIPS Agreement, could commit such a large case of forgery, which undoubtedly shows a complete disregard for copyright".

In this regard, Pau Herrera, Chairman of BCD, ensured that "protecting design as a factor of innovation is essential to create economic and social value, and represents one of the most important assets of professionals and European companies". Herrera added that cases such as this one "do not only damage our business, but also the city model Barcelona wants to project".